Mr. Coffee ECM160 4-Cup Steam Espresso Machine
by Mr. Coffee
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Our Price: $38.61
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Category: Kitchen
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: Mr. CoffeeBrand: Mr. Coffee
Model: ECM160
Color: Black
Product features:
- Steam espresso machine brews 1 to 4 cups (20 ounces)
- Removable frothing aid; powerful milk frother for creamy cappuccinos
- Decanter with measuring marks, stay-cool handle, and drip-free pouring spout
- Cup warmer; removable drip tray; cord storage; measuring scoop included
- Measures 8 by 6-1/2 by 10-1/2 inches
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Mr. Coffee ECM160 4-Cup Steam Espresso Machine
Customer Review: Good Low End Espresso Machine
Summary: 4 Stars
Update: After 5 Days of Use
The machine is still a good low cost espresso machine and I retain the 4 stars. However, I have to take back the fact that it's a fantastic coffee machine. If you use the specified amount of beans with the water, it makes a great espresso. However, trying to use it as a coffee machine by adding more water is not so good. The problem lies in the the fact that the pressurized steam water literally shoots like a jet rocket half way through. This cause the water to essentially pass through the grind that's already been drained of flavor super heated, adding a cigarette/ashe taste to the robust inital drain. I wasn't expecting so much pressure from the machine. Expensive pump based machines aren't like this and can be used as a coffee like machine. I'll just use it as an espresso machine, as it was meant to be. My Mr Coffee 4 cup coffee machine, which is discontinued i think, still is the best coffee machine.
I'm a very picky coffee drinker, who is also budget conscious. I've gone through years of evolution in my coffee brewing techniques to try to brew the best tasting coffee at the lowest price. My current setup is a 4 cup Mr Coffee coffee maker with a Krups burr grinder. Previously, I used to use a Krups coffee maker with a cone filter and the typical low end spinning blade grinder. I was reasonably satisfied with the current setup, but wanted a stronger punch to the coffee flavor, closer to an espresso. The Mr Coffee coffee machine is the best coffee maker, because it had a water drip that wasn't just a one hole in the center like 99% of the coffee makers, but had multiple drip holes that truelly spread the water over much of the beans. This extracted the maximum flavor from the coffee beans. However, I still felt that a hotter water like steam and more concentrated wetting of all the beans would bring out the maximum flavor. This is where Mr Coffee ECM160 espresso machine came into the picture. Because the water comes down as super heated steam level into a tiny sealed container spread over the entire surface area, the maximum flavor extraction is achieved. This makes a fantastic strong flavor coffee with equal amount of beans as my previous coffee machine, which means I can use even less beans and still make a better tasting coffee. I can put in 2 servings worth of coffee grind with 4 servings of water (espresso), which equates to about 2 cups of coffee, and it still taste better and stronger then when i used twice the amount of beans in a regular coffee machine. If your used to using a coffee filter so u don't get the fine coffee grinds, you will initially be dissapointed with the murky trasparency of the coffee. However, the way to get around this is use a metal mesh Krups cone filter, as a filter to pour the coffee into your mug or cup. This removes any large grinds and you end up with a fantastic coffee with incredibly strong robust flavor. As far as making an espresso, all you need to do is just use less water. It does create that mild foam that most expensive espresso machine make, but not as good. But the flavor is almost identical to a $200 espresso machine I've used in the past at work. I can't speak for the foaming stick, cuz I don't make cappucinos.
Now, why only 4 stars ?
Well, the huge power on off wheel on the left is an overkill, and takes up alot of space. They could have just had 1 on/off switch for brewing and 1 button for the foaming stick. As mentioned by another reviewer, the aluminum molded water container/heating element could be health issue if it ever degrades over time. IMO, it will be fine as long as u follow the direction to NOT open the pressure lid until the machine has fully cooled off. This is to prevent the water drying up inside the aluminum holding tank while it's super hot, causing the minerals to deposit and break down the aluminum from both heat, minerals, and chemicals.
It also does not come with a tamper, and the plastic scooper it comes has an inadequate tiny flat bottom that your supposed to use as tamper. It does not fit properly to tamper down the coffee without making a mess. You do need to use a real tamper or, if you don't want to buy a tamper, you can use anything round that is flat and large enough to press down the coffee grind uniformly. A 49 mm tamper fits perfectly, as it is large enough for full 4 servings of grind and small enough to go lower to press down 2 servings of grind.
It doesn't come with a foaming container, but I didn't expect it to. However, I think it should have come with atleast a cheap plastic tamper that fits.
Now the bonus of using this machine over a regular coffee machine, is that you don't have to buy coffee filters AND you don't have to use those white cholorinated 4 cup coffee filters. That means your not drinking any more chlorine or any chemicals that came from the paper. A health benefit.
Other then that, for the price of $37, it's a great deal. It makes the best coffee u could possibly make and will save you on beans to pay for itself over time.
Description of Mr. Coffee ECM160 4-Cup Steam Espresso Machine
Makes delicious espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes. Powerful milk frother. 4-Cup capacity: 20-ounce. Per shot. Removable drip tray. Easy to pour decanter. Removable frothing aid. On/off indicator light.Espresso Machines
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